Lawn

[potiche]

I have inherited a big lawn which predominates with, amongst others, christmas tree moss, and lichen.......not much grass.
Have had a quote from Lawnmaster which I am happy with as the chap comes well recommended.. He wants to seed a mixture of 3 grasses, however, he seems blinkered about the varieties to reseed with after he has done the mosskill & churnup. He has said that the best variety for our coastal location is one that looks yellowy in winter.......I'd like a green lawn year round.
I read about lawns of ..something that is not grass to cope with our changing weather. He would have no truck with that.
Any expertise out there?

[woofgang]

are you thinking of a chamomile lawn? They are good at withstanding drought but not as tough for walking and playing on as grass, also some people don't like the pungent smell.
I am sure that Lawnmaster come well recommended (people use Greenthumb round here) but I think the problem with franchise type operations is that they use what the franchise supplies....It might be worth getting an independent opinion. Having said that, most lawns go a little yellow or brown in the winter.

[boxtops]

what's Christmas tree moss?

[Gavmacp]

Lawnmaster ruined my mothers lawn! They were not helpful when she complained. I personally would get someone local and independent.

[potiche]

Box, it grows upright, is dark green & does look like mini christmas trees, apparently v difficult to get rid of.
Yep woof, but I'd prob prefer clover.

[woofgang]

both clover and thyme have the same issue as chamomile in that it won't withstand much foot traffic, even less play or use with garden furniture.

[Chipchopper]

Hi potiche,

Just going by what you have said, the presence of aquatic moss and lack of grass, indicates to me to be very poor drainage and possibly but not necessarily over-shading.
So, I would have the drainage looked at firstly, otherwise the problem may reoccur time after time.

Grass having a yellowish appearance in winter, especially in an exposed coastal location would seen fairly normal, but this can be adjusted with the application of an autumn feed of the appropriate fertilizer.

Personally, I don't think anything compares with grass for a good lawn and I wouldn't use anything else, unless it was a difficult area to maintain like a steep bank.

[potiche]

I think you're right Chippy, I should have improved the drainage by clearing the shrub bed adjacent to the lawn. The root systems were dense & too many old shrubs & new offshoots were competing. I hadn't made that connection. The first dose of mosskill & feed have made a difference so I'll keep going with my £30 Lidl scarifier .......bargain.
Woof.... I love the thyme lawn, would smell wonderful, I'll check out varieties & try a corner of that